The FIRE Pathway
Tool · Calculator

The FIRE number calculator.

Calculate your FIRE number, years to financial independence, and projected portfolio growth. Adjust any input — results update instantly. Formulas, assumptions, and sources live below.

The report
Your FIRE number
$1,000,000
= $40,000 annual expenses ÷ 4% SWR
Progress to FIRE5.0%
$50,000$1,000,000
Years to FIRE
18yrs
At age 48
Monthly Savings
$2,917
46.7% savings rate
Annual Contributions
$35,000
$75,000 income

Portfolio growth projection.

Fig. 01
Loading chart…
The recommended stack

Tools to get you there.

Affiliate

We may earn a commission if you open an account through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we'd use ourselves.

  1. Brokerage

    Fidelity or Vanguard

    Build your FIRE portfolio with low-cost index funds and zero-commission trades.

    Why we recommend it: Industry-leading expense ratios keep more of your returns compounding.

    Compare brokerages
  2. HYSA

    High-Yield Savings

    Earn 5%+ on your emergency fund and short-term cash while you wait to deploy capital.

    Why we recommend it: Your cash should work as hard as your investments.

    Compare HYSAs
  3. Budgeting

    Budgeting App

    Track every dollar, surface spending leaks, and hit your savings rate target.

    Why we recommend it: Knowing your exact numbers is the first step to improving them.

    Read the review

Frequently asked.

§ FAQ
01What is a FIRE number?

Your FIRE number is the total amount of invested assets you need to sustain your annual expenses indefinitely, typically calculated as 25 times your annual spending (based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate).

02How accurate is the FIRE calculator?

This calculator uses standard compound interest formulas with your inputs. Real-world results will vary based on actual market returns, tax changes, and spending fluctuations. Use it as a planning starting point, not a guarantee.

03What withdrawal rate should I use?

The classic 4% rate comes from the Trinity Study. For early retirees with 40+ year horizons, many suggest 3–3.5%. Our withdrawal simulator can help you test different rates.

Methodology

How this calculator works.

FIRE Number
Your target portfolio value, calculated as Annual Expenses ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate. At a 4% SWR, you need 25× your annual spending.
Portfolio Growth
Each year, contributions are added to your portfolio and the total grows by the expected annual return. We apply inflation annually so the FIRE target grows in nominal terms.
Real vs. Nominal
The chart uses nominal (not inflation-adjusted) dollars. Your FIRE number also grows with inflation so the comparison remains consistent.
Savings Rate
Calculated as (Income − Expenses) ÷ Income. Per Mr. Money Mustache's shockingly simple math, a 50% savings rate leads to ~17 years to FI regardless of income level.
Embed this calculator

Free to use with attribution.

Paste the snippet below onto any page, blog post, or docs site. The calculator renders inline, works on mobile, and links back to The FIRE Pathway at the bottom. No account, no API key, no ads inside the iframe.

<iframe
  src="https://www.thefirepathway.com/embed/fire-calculator"
  width="100%"
  height="1600"
  style="border:0;max-width:960px;display:block;margin:0 auto;"
  title="FIRE Calculator — The FIRE Pathway"
  loading="lazy">
</iframe>

Licensed for free use with the attribution link intact. If you'd like a customized version (different default inputs, white-label theming, or a webhook on result changes), email us at hello@thefirepathway.com.

Financial disclaimer

This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Investment returns are not guaranteed; past performance does not predict future results. Please consult a qualified financial professional (CFP, RIA, or CPA) before making investment decisions. Read our full disclaimer.